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Nepal, Like Most Other Countries Is Culturally Diverse.

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Nepal, like most other countries is culturally diverse. Nepal is named for the Katmandu Valley, where the capital was established in the late eighteenth century. The Nepalese culture is a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Mongolian influences with a long history of migration and trade. The country is roughly the size of Nebraska, which makes it the 94th largest country in the world by size, but 41st largest in population ("Compare The United States To Nepal," 2017). The country has fourteen main spoken languages, with Nepali being the official and most common, but more than 50 languages exist. There are four main religions in Nepal, but the overwhelming majority of Nepalese people are Hindus, with Buddhist coming in a distant second. The …show more content…

In 2008 nationwide elections were held and Nepal was declared a federal democratic republic and the monarchy was abolished. Since then the government has changed hands between parties and has been completely dissolved more than once. Since 2014 a coalition government has been governing with the Constituent Assembly back in power. Despite the political unrest, Nepalese continue to have a strong sense of national identity and national pride. The majority of Nepalese practice either Hinduism or Buddhism, but Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, ancestor worship, and animism exists within the country. “Buddha is widely worshipped by both Buddhists and Hindus of Nepal” ("Culture of Nepal," 2017). Buddhists worship the five Dhyani Buddhas; Vairochana, Akshobhoya, Rathasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi; which represent the five basic elements: earth, fire, water, air, and ether. Bajrayogini and Vajrayana are deities worshipped by both Buddhist and Hindus. Nepalis Hindus worship the ancient Vedic gods. Belief in ghosts, spirits, and witchcraft is widespread, which is especially common in rural areas. The misfortunes of individuals is often believed to be caused by spiteful witches and angry ghosts. Nepal occupies a special place in both the Hindu and Buddhist religions, according to mythology the Himalayas are the abode of the gods, specifically associated with Shiva. The holiest sites in Nepal

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